Aluminum Louvers NYC: NYC Louver Requirements & Codes

Louvers are important for any building with large ventilation openings, as well as for anyone who wants to minimize water infiltration and visibility while allowing for sunlight and airflow. NYC is one area of America that may have more of these buildings than anywhere else. 

NYC is one of the louver capitals of America and as such, has tons of legalities, requirements, and language about louvers in their city codes. Aluminum is one of the most popular louver materials and is commonly used in louvers around the country, including NYC.

Therefore, it goes without saying that if you own a building in NYC, you’ll want to be completely up to speed on everything to do with aluminum louvers in NYC. 

Therefore, we’re going to take an in-depth look at the requirements and codes for aluminum louvers NYC as well as the benefits of aluminum louvers and what type of louvers may be best for a New York louver facade.

NYC Building Louver Codes

NYC has a lot of specific language about ventilation coverings and louver requirements NYC code. Almost every building in the city has a louver of some sort, and the need for airflow and proper ventilation is not just a personal issue for the building owner and anyone therein, but the city as a whole. 

Managing pollution and citizen safety is paramount to city officials who work for one of the biggest cities in the world, so they place a big emphasis on exhaust louver NYC codes. 

Ventilation Systems

Ventilation systems in NYC have a couple of specific requirements. Building owners can take their pick if they want to have exterior louvers for their ventilation system that meets AMCA standard 550’s A rating  for wind-driven rain penetration, or if they want their louvers to be installed on a waterproof plenum that has a drainage system. 

Intake Openings

For air intake openings in walls, louvers must be both corrosion resistant and be able to protect against the local weather conditions. The openings in these louvers must also be sized according to specific dimensions. In areas of NYC considered especially hurricane prone, louvers must also conform to the AMCA 550 standard.

Natural Ventilation

Louvers can also be used in NYC for natural ventilation. The requirements here are that they must be open to either the sky, or a public space like a park, a street, or an alley. This would apply to something like a louver in the stairway for smoke requirements as well.

Why are Aluminum Louvers so Popular in NYC?

There are a wide variety of materials that louvers can be made out of—Wood, glass, stainless steel, galvanized steel, plastic, clay, stone, and rubber, for example. 

However, the most popular material to use for high-quality louvers is actually aluminum, instead of New York steel louvers. 

This is because aluminum can be molded in such a manner that it easily serves the functions required of louvers. Aluminum is also low cost and lightweight as well. It can be easily maintained and makes for the best louver material, hands down.

NYC Louver Requirements and Aluminum

For NYC louver requirements, aluminum louvers are the obvious choice. Most choose them for the benefits listed above and the best louver companies typically only make aluminum louvers. 

Using louvers from another material besides aluminum means you risk implementing louvers that are too pricey for what they offer, hard to maintain, or don’t stand up to the stringent NYC louver codes.

What Are the Best Louvers to Use in NYC?

Aire Renaissance’s aluminum louvers are by far the best louvers for NYC.

Not only are they durable and lightweight, but they come in a plethora of different styles to suit your needs. 

From acoustical louvers that block sound from exiting buildings to architectural louvers that make building exteriors look elegant, Aire Renaissance offers it all. 

Their drainable louvers, in particular, are something you don’t see most companies offering. Drainable louvers are a step above the competition because instead of allowing water to cascade off them in a waterfall effect, they catch the water and redirect it outside through internal gutters. This not only improves the protection against water infiltration, but it also provides style points in the form of a cleaner aesthetic during rainstorms. 

Choose Aire Renaissance, The Provide of The Best Aluminum Louvers In NYC

Whichever louver products you decide to choose, the aluminum drainable louvers from Aire Renaissance are sure to put you a step above the rest in terms of style and functionality.

If you’re interested, contact us today!

We cannot wait to improve your New York building with an aluminum louver.